Post

Conversation

Matthew Yglesias
@mattyglesias
It’s notable that there isn’t even a stated, official explanation for these military firings. “Critics say [various nefarious speculations] but according to the White House _____”
29K
Matthew Yglesias
@mattyglesias
Did they fire the Chief of Naval Operations just because she’s a woman? Are they purging senior JAGs because they’re preparing a bunch of illegal orders? You would expect there to be an official reason at least but Hegseth’s statement didn’t contain one.
29K
Matthew Yglesias
@mattyglesias
Unlike some of Trump’s other moves, as I understand it there’s no question of his legal authority to remove senior officers. It’s unusual but you can do it. Still, in a democratic republic you expect to hear some kind of reason for the president’s actions beyond whim.
21.2K
Views
David Watson 🥑
Post your reply

Dan
@DblNdann
Kinda seems like they're cutting the federal workforce because they said they're gonna cut the federal workforce. I'm just surprised they're actually going at the Pentagon. Would rather see people fired there than half of the other people they've fired
26
William
@william_1687
Because the first term there were generals that called China to assure them they would disobey orders. Regardless of who is there now, he needs to ensure that whoever is in that position will follow orders and be loyal to the chain of command.
184
DOD
@dcodea
In any republic one of the institutions capable of overthrowing democracy is the military and its fundamental problem to be solved; we solved it with highly professional officer class committed to democracy and civilian control. Not something to throw away lightly
38
David Eide
@RealDavidEide
You’re talking about traditions and norms. Such considerations have no applicability here where the president is unapologetically running a certified freak show with a cast of characters that includes Musk, Patel, Gabbard, and Kennedy.
102
Jimmy Fick
@DCObserver88
Pete feels inferior in the pentagon. Let’s remember all the BS talk of him being some kind of warrior is highly exaggerated. He was in the national guard and did one actual combat tour, which his entire identity is based on.
156
WaffleStar
@WaffleStar3838
Appreciate your reasoned analysis. Too much primitive criticism of every single thing Pres Trump does. Just serves to create a higher and higher noise floor. Enables him to get away with things that really need to be criticized.
146